I purchased the Tamrac Evolution 8 a couple of 12 months in the past and I’ve to say it is probably the most helpful backpack I’ve ever owned. I name it my Batpack, as a result of it holds my camera, laptop computer and all my little trinkets with fast entry… and it is black.

DESIGN

Because the title implies, the Tamrac Evolution 8 is an evolution within the design of photograph bags. There has arrived a well-liked new style of backpack: the sling/aspect entry bag. There are actually tons of of variations of photograph bags, and most of them fall into basic genres, however from my expertise one thing began taking place just a few years in the past within the bag world: sling bags grew to become their very own kind. I do not know if this was the primary bag to begin all of it, however I am certain the Lowepro Slingshot was the sling bag heard around the world, due to its immense reputation. Since then I’ve seen different producers decide up this concept in varied varieties. In essence a sling bag is a backpack that you may slide to the aspect and get entry to your stuff/camera with out taking the bag off. Good! I am unable to let you know how lengthy I’ve wished a bag that would carry greater than toploader or satchel, however carry it on my again as an alternative of placing all that weight on one shoulder. The massive three all have types of sling packs and sling backpacks: Lowepro Fastpack, Kata 3n1 & 123, and the Tamrac Evolution 8 5788.

A fast look on the good and the unhealthy earlier than we dive in:

GOOD

• Facet entry to camera compartment – means not needing to take off the bag to drag out your camera.
• Prime compartment holds miscellaneous gadgets or equipment
• Can take away the camera dividers and use the bag as an everyday backpack
• Maintain all the things I must carry on my particular person on a visit – laptop computer, camera, lenses, electronics, paperwork, snacks.

BAD

• The highest compartment is fairly small – cannot maintain a water bottle or giant guide.
• Solely DSLRs with out battery grips.
• If you wish to take an extended lens, you are gonna should mount it in your camera.
• No water bottle holder

FEATURES

The Tamrac Evolution 8 holds a 15 inch laptop computer (I’ve really squeezed in one of many new 17 inch macbook professionals additionally), a DSLR with out grip, 2-4 lenses, a flash, varied equipment in flaps and compartments, it has a rain cowl, tripod hook, and may be carried as a sling bag or backpack.

The “3 ways to entry” your gear is the place this bag is attention-grabbing. You’ll be able to put your DSLR in one of many aspect compartments and sling it up and get entry to it with out taking off the pack. Additionally, as I do, you may put a second camera of smaller dimension (like a Holga movie camera) on the opposite aspect and sling that as much as get entry to it. It is a big benefit as in comparison with the Lowepro Fastpack or Kata which solely has one aspect entry. You even have entry to the gear from the highest flap, which is somewhat small for my tastes, nevertheless it does the job.

The Three-Method Harness system is frequent to this and the Kata bags-it permits you to set it up as a backpack with two straps, or a sling bag with a strap over the precise or left aspect. (Relying on which aspect you wish to get at.) Personally I by no means use this characteristic as it is easy sufficient to simply slip off one of many straps and sling the bag as much as get entry. One other boon to that technique is you will get at both aspect of the bag as an alternative of being restricted to at least one or the opposite. However you might have the choice. The Kata does an attention-grabbing factor with an X system, whereby each straps cross over you are chest. I have not tried it out, however am to look into it light box B07TZT7KYT.

There are two pockets on both aspect above the camera compartment entry panels that may maintain equipment. One holds the rain cowl by default, and I preserve my Flip-type HD video camera within the different. The flaps on both entry panel holds varied equipment like flash playing cards and fliters. Although I’ve discovered them to spit out my stuff if I do not pack it fastidiously. The highest compartment I take advantage of to carry my flashlight, laptop computer power supply, Leatherman, batteries within the outer flap (probably not the perfect use), tablets, protein bars, just about something that’s lower than 8×8 inches I’ll throw in there… it will get messy regardless of the mesh holder.

The shoulder straps, whereas skinny, are comfy and there’s a waist strap, which is completely needed on any backpack. Half of the burden, if no more, ought to relaxation in your hips. And the sternum strap can also be a necessity for me, as I’m a 6 foot man with reasonably vast shoulders.

The bag is obtainable in Black or Brown/Tan.

CONCLUSION

This bag is certainly a compromise. In case you’re an expert photographer on the lookout for a location bag this isn’t it. It actually sucks at that. I am telling you from expertise it simply does not maintain sufficient of the kind of gear you want and you may’t get at it rapidly sufficient. Although one caveat is that it is nice for road pictures, particularly if it is raining. This bag is for each day, multipurpose use. In case you’re on the lookout for a journey bag, one thing to carry your laptop computer and camera and match int he overhead bin, you might need simply discovered your One Bag to rule all of them. This bag works for me as a result of I solely use a DSLR and not using a battery grip, I do not personal any giant lenses (e.g. 70-200 f/4L), and I’ve a 15 inch laptop computer. It is somewhat light on how a lot stuff you may put in it, however to me thats factor as a result of I am all the time making an attempt to journey lighter. After a 12 months with this bag I can say that I am undoubtedly happy. Nonetheless, I can be on the lookout for one other bag to hold extra gear for my pictures shoots and if I find yourself getting a camera with a battery grip, I’ll undoubtedly look into the Kata 3N1 or 123.